Today in History: March 4. President's George Washington's first inauguration was held on April 30 ,1789, and his second was held on March 4, 1793, and from that time on, March 4 was the official inauguration date. While the two dates appear to have been arbitrary, the reason for remaining with the latter may have been due to grueling travel by cart at the time. Prior to 1937, including Washington, only 10 times throughout the next 144 years was a president to be inaugurated on a day other than March 4. Opinions shifted in 1933 due to the horrible state so many were left in due to the depression. It was thought to be dangerous to have to wait until March for inauguration. In 1933, the Twentieth Amendment was certified removing the prolonged period a defeated president would continue to serve after a failed bid for reelection. It went into effect in 1937.